The article analyzed the contemporary study of pattern recognition of tongue images in traditional Chinese medicine by computer technology from its key sectors. It regards that the methods of orthogonal design and evaluation of image quality should be introduced to get a high-quality and practicable condition. In the field of tongue image segmentation, multiple methods used together are expected to improve the effect of segmentation. A scientific and canonical standard of tongue diagnosis based on comprehensive experts' experience with Delphi evaluation method and multi-center experts diagnosis on internet are also very essential. The study of pattern recognition on tongue image is still concentrated on the color. Further study should be extended to achieve quantification. And a comprehensive diagnosis on pattern recognition of tongue image is the aim that should be focused on later.

With the further development of clinical modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), new request to tongue diagnosis for objectivity and quantification is raised. Many researchers have devoted themselves to this field and have achieved some accomplishments since 1950's. Especially in recent years, the revolution of information technique derived from computer industry brings the research new chances. The research history of the past five decades can be divided into three stages: (1) looking for micro-markers by newly-developed medical technique; (2) quantifying traditional markers by new technique; (3) further development based on information technique and corporation of multiple subjects. This article reviewed the three stages and described its prospect.

[Objective] To explore the mechanism of its formation of sublingual varix in patients with primary liver cancer(PLC) and from the vessels and haemodynamics so as to establish the basis for its future clinical study.[Methods] The related indexes of the haemodynamics vessels tongue and the portal system were measured by Doppler ultrasound.Then the mechanism of the formation of abnormal sublingual varix was explored from the local microcirculation of tongue,the morphology and haemodynamics of the tongue vessels and portal system.[Conclusion]The formation of abnormal sublingual varix was related to haemodynamics of the tongue,and the abnormal morphology and haemodynamics of portal system.The deep mechanism need to be further explored.

Objective To investigate the multiple factors correlated to femoral head necrosis in patients over 45 years old with femoral neck fractures after closed reduction and cannulated screws fixation.Methods Three hundred patients with femoral neck fracture were admitted from May 1999 to May 2004 and treated by closed reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws.We analyzed the multiple factors:age,gender,Garden classification,follow-up time,procedure delay,quality of reduction,time of full-weight-loading,fixation removal, and preoperative traction.Multiple correlation factors were analyzed by SPSS10.0 statistic system.Results Complete case records were documented in 99 cases who were followed up for an average of 24.5 months(range,8 to 60 months).Femoral head necrosis occurred in 15 cases(15.2%).Time of femoral head necrosis was 8 to 50 months after operation.The combination of quality of reduction,preoperative traction,age,and age?fixation re- moval was found to have the most significant influence on femoral head necrosis after internal fixation for femoral neck fractures.Conclusions Good reduction is the most important factor correlated to the outcome of a femoral neck fracture.Age is linked to the risk of necrosis but it is relatively insignificant.Preoperative traction in wrong positions can increase the incidence of necrosis.Garden classification is important in predicting femoral head necrosis and is associated with quality of reduction,but it is not a risk one in the combination of multiple correlation factors that lead to the necrosis.

In order to investigate the role of Th17 cytokines in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of IL-17, IL-23 (p19/p40), and IL-6 in skin lesions and non-lesions of the patients with psoriasis and skin tissues of normal subjects. The results showed that the mRNA expression levels of IL-17, IL-23p19, IL-23p40 and IL-6 in psoriasis lesion were significantly higher than those of non-lesions (1.231 +/- 0.843 vs 1.003 +/- 0.044, 1.166 +/- 0.142 vs 0.765 +/- 0.133, 1.125 +/- 0.104 vs 0.730 +/- 0.103, 1.186 +/- 0.222 vs 0.976 +/- 0.122, respectively, all P < 0.05). Meanwhile, The expression levels of IL-17 mRNA, IL-23p19 mRNA, IL-23p40 mRNA and IL-6 mRNA were higher in non-lesions than those in normal skin tissues (1.003 +/- 0.044 vs 0.620 +/- 0.104, 0.765 +/- 0.133 vs 0.584 +/- 0.078, 0.730 +/- 0.103 vs 0.000 +/- 0.000, 0.976 +/- 0.122 vs 0.656 +/- 0.121, respectively, all P < 0.05). The overexpression of Th17 cytokines in the skin lesions of patients with psoriasis may indicate that Th17 cytokines play a very important role in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the rules of therapeutic methods, formulas and medicines of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: The frequencies of treatments and medicines of TCM in 978 pieces of documents concerning PLC were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 165 therapeutic methods, 277 formulas and 459 kinds of herbs, the methods for activating blood circulation, the formulas for regulating qi-flowing and the herbs for invigorating qi are the most commonly used. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic methods such as invigorating qi, regulating qi-flowing and activating blood circulation are the main choices for PLC, and the methods such as clearing heat, removing dampness and nourishing yin are used as supplements.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of the sublingual venae in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: The shape, color and the red, green and blue values of the sublingual venae were analyzed quantitatively for PLC patients in different clinical stages by analysis system for comprehensive information of tongue diagnosis. RESULTS: With the aggravating of the disease, the patients' sublingual venae became wide and tortuous, and their color became blue and purple. The abnormality of the sublingual venae was more serious in clinical stage III than in stages I and II (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The shape, color and abnormality degree of the sublingual venae in patients with PLC in different clinical stages are distinct.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of tongue color in patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). METHODS: Tongue color and its RGB value were analyzed quantitatively for PLC patients in different clinical periods and other cancer patients by analysis system for comprehensive information of tongue diagnosis. RESULTS: The rate of blue and purple tongue was higher (P<0.05) and all the values of RGB were lower (P<0.01) in PLC patients compared with other cancer patients. In different clinical periods, the rate of blue and purple tongue in stage III was the highest (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The blue and purple tongue is one of the most important tongue characteristics of PLC patients.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) level on prognostic of patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome by dynamic monitoring ANP levels.Methods Ninety-eight patients admitted to the intensive care unite were classified into survival group(n =78) and death group (n =20).The level of plasma ANP,procalcitonin,C-reactive protein and lactic acid were measured.Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) Ⅱ score were recorded.Results The plasma ANP level of patients in the death group was 0.40 (0.26) μg/L,significantly higher than that in the survival group(0.22(0.12) μg/L,P =0.000).Along with treatment scheme,the plasma ANP level decreased in survival group,and there were significant difference among three times (0.22 (0.12) μg/L,0.17 (0.09) μg/L,0.13 (0.11) μg/L,P =0.000).But there was no difference in ANP level of patients in death group along with the disease developing (0.38 (0.30) μg/L,0.39 (0.23) μg/L,0.39 (0.22) μg/L,P =0.99).ICU hospitalized time in survive group associated with APACHE Ⅱ score,ANP and PCT(r =0.735,0.628,0.487 respectively,P =0.000,0.001,0.021).Conclusion ANP is proved to be a good clinical index in prognostic evaluation of patients with sepsis.

Objective To investigate the effects of propofol and sevoflurane on oxidative stess response induced by short period pure oxygen inhalation during general anesthesia.Methods Sixty ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients aged 20-60 yr weighing 50-85 kg undergoing elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=30 each):group propofol (group P) and group sevoflurane (group S).Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups inhaling 40% O2 (P0.4,S0.4) and 100%O2(P1.0,S1.0) respectively during operation.Anesthesia was induced with propofol 1-2 mg/kg,midazolan 0.02 mg/kg and sufentanil 0.1-0.2 mg/kg.Tracheal intobation was facilitated with rocuronium 0.6-0.8 mg/kg.The patients were mechanically ventilated(VT 8 ml/kg,RR 12 bpm).PET CO2 was maintained at 35-40 mmHg.Anesthesia was maintained with in both groups.BIS was maintained at 40-60.Arterial blood samples were collected immediately before induction of anesthesia (baseline),at 2,4,6h after tracheal intubation(T1-3) and 24h after operation(T4) for determination of PaO2,serum 8-iso-PGF2α and MDA concentrations and SOD activity.PaO2/FiO2 was calculated.Results In subgroup S1.0 the serum 8-iso-PGF2α and MDA concentrations were significantly increased while serum SOD activity was significanfly decreased at T1-3 as compared with the baseline.Serum 8-iso-PGF2α and MDA concentrations were significantly higher while serum SOD activity and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly lower at T1-3 in subgroup S1.0 than in stress response induced by≤6h pure O2 inhalation but inhalation of 1.5%-3.0% sevoflurane can not.